Type of residencies, requirements and benefits

TYPE OF RESIDENCY: PENSIONADO (Retired)

REQUIRES: Proof of US$600 per month income from permanent pension source or retirement fund
STAY: Must remain in the country at least 4 months per year.
FAMILY: Can claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age.
WORK: Can work as an employee
BUSINESS: Can own a company and receive income.

TYPE OF RESIDENCY: RENTISTA (Renter)

REQUIRES: Proof of US$1,000 per month for at least five years, guaranteed by a banking institution, or a US$60,000 deposit in an approved Costa Rican bank. Double income for spouse
STAY: Must remain in the country at least 4 months per year.
FAMILY: Can claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age.
WORK: Cannot work as an employee.
BUSINESS: Can own a company and receive income.

TYPE OF RESIDENCY: INVERSIONISTA (Investor)

REQUIRES: $200,000 in any business or a specified amount of investment in certain government approved sectors.
STAY: Must remain in the country at least 6 months per year.
FAMILY: Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age. It must be a separate process.
WORK: Income allowed from the project.
BUSINESS: Can own a company and receive income.

TYPE OF RESIDENCY: REPRESENTANTE (Representative)

REQUIRES: The one that applies should be a director of a company with certain requirements, such as employing a minimum number of local workers as established by the labor law, with financial statements certified by a Public Accountant.
STAY: Must remain in the country at least 6 months per year.
FAMILY: Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age. It must be a separate process.
WORK: Can earn an income from the company.
BUSINESS: Can own a company and receive income.

TYPE OF RESIDENCY: PERMANENTE (Permanent)

REQUIRES: There must be a first degree relative status with a Costa Rican Citizen (married to a citizen or by having a Costa Rican baby) or may apply after 3 years in another residency type.
STAY: Must visit the country (Costa Rica) at least once a year.
FAMILY: Cannot claim spouse and dependants under 18 years of age.
WORK: Can work
BUSINESS: Can own a company and receive income.
Taken from the Website of the Direccion General de Migracion y Extranjeria (Governmental Migration Department) Dic, 2008